It’s been the “will they, won’t they?” national final comeback. But now Serbia‘s broadcaster RTS has finally confirmed that they will indeed bring back the Beovizija national final.
The news was shared on today social media. The broadcaster told fans to “Follow us on #Monday and find out everything about this year’s national selection for the @Eurovision!”
After 9 years, RTS returns #Beovizija. ?
Follow us on #Monday and find out everything about this year's national selection for the @Eurovision! #RTS #Serbia #esc2018— RTS | Serbia ESC (@SerbiaESC) January 19, 2018
The return of Beovizija has been an eventful process. Back in August, the broadcaster launched open entry for an internal selection process. Back then, the broadcaster said that around ten entries would be shortlisted and performed on Serbian television. However, this would not be a national final and the act for Lisbon would still be selected by an internal jury.
Then in October, RTS’s entertainment editor Olivera Kovacevic confirmed the return of Beovizija. At the time, the plan was that a shortlist of 12 finalists would perform at the grand final of Beovizija sometime in February 2018. The winning entry would be chosen by a combined jury vote and televote.
Later the same month, the entry period for was extended. At that stage, the broadcaster had not decided if Beovizija would involve one show or two, and the location had not been decided either.
The competition rules were also published, noting that the broadcaster wanted a song in a “fun and popular style” that was performed in one of the national languages of Serbia.
Last month, the broadcaster revealed they had received 75 entries. However, at this stage it seemed less certain that Beovizija would return. The broadcaster did not mention the national final by name, and instead said the selection plans would be revealed in due course.
But now it seems that RTS has settled on a return to Beovizija.
Beovizija was used as Serbia’s national selection between 2007 and 2009, where it delivered a Eurovision win and a top-six result in 2008. Serbia also managed to place third in 2012, but has since fallen on harder times, crashing out in the semis in 2013 and more recently last year in 2017.
Serbia will join the Czech Republic, France, Montenegro and Serbia in returning to a national final format to select their song for Eurovision 2018.
What do you think? Who would you like to see compete? What format should Beovizija take? Tell us what you think below!
I saw the participant list and every song is in Serbian which is good considering we already have 7 countries singing in their own language. It would be nice to bring back the ESC spirit this year. Beovision is a great competition. When Serbia used the national final to bring on the songs for the ESC, it was always in the finals. Hopefully, they will come back stronger this year.
We want Jelena Karleusa!!!
Robyn’s best typo of the year so far: “Serbia will join the Czech Republic, France, Montenegro and Serbia in returning to a national final format to select their song for Eurovision 2018.” 😀
Before anyone else says it, no she did not mean Kosovo! She could have meant Croatia. Croatia’s right, isn’t it?
She has a lot to do. Half of the articles is her. We ? Robyn.
? is heart actually. 😀
We all love Robyn.
Serbia will join the Czech Republic, France, Montenegro and Serbia….
I didn’t know that the two countries named Serbia are competing. Hahaha
Serbia will join Serbia in returning to a national final format ? Robyn, how many Serbias there are existing ? :O
Greece is also returning to a national final
They had a national final last year to choose Demy’s song.
Off topic: But… is the comment box a bit wonky for you?
Shows less comments than it says, less comments on the articles than said on the main page, comments not showing…
Yes. It seems to be an ongoing problem with Cache. Basically, if you delete your cache and reload the page, all the comments should then line up. (As William said in a previous comment.)
Exactly! I had the same problem. You have to delete your browsing history, in order to see all the comments, which was pretty absurd. Hope they’ll fix it as soon as possible.
I have the same issue. On iOS, it helps to just reload the page. If necessary, a few times even.
I love they came back to a national final! Looking forward to listening to the songs!
Beovizija was always full of dramas – but at the same time it is a brand! I hope they will organize it in Sava Centar and not in a small studio. Hopefully the Serbian public will be more interested in esc again! And my biggest wish is to find some amazing songs in our language!